Over 150 people gathered for the Remembrance Sunday service at the new cenotaph location in Moreton today, after the memorial was moved last month from the gardens of the Royal British Legion to a busy junction.
Many Wirral residents had concerns the service would not go ahead as planned, as they felt that the memorial was moved too close to Remembrance Sunday.
However, the service was led by Vicar Redmoor, formerly of Moreton Presbyterian Church, who urged those gathered to remember the fallen, to pray for an end to the destructive hate of war and for the future of our world.
Moreton resident Harry Pleavin, 73, believes the cenotaph is now in the wrong location.
He told JMU Journalism: “It looks good, but it won’t stand the test of time. This was an opportunity to put it in a more central location, but it’s absolutely in the wrong place. I miss the garden of the Legion.
He added: “Normally we all go to the British Legion for tea and a biscuit, but it’s been sold now. That’s why it was a sad service. Years ago we had the Boys Brigade, the Sea Cadets and the Scouts. They would march right through Moreton Cross and everyone would stop. It’s a lot different now.”
After leading the military parade in the wind and bitter cold, Major Sam Andrews told JMU Journalism: “There were rumours the cenotaph would be put over by the library on the grass verge. But it’s here now, and people will have to get used to it and there will be a parade every year.
“We had a good attendance, there were over 350 people last year, this year over 100, but I’m still very impressed with the turn-out today considering the weather.”
Speaking of next year’s Remembrance Sunday plans, Major Andrews told JMU Journalism there will be fencing put around the memorial as there are a few concerns from residents about wreathes blowing away.